nWave Flies Into the 3-D Animation Biz

Location-based entertainment firm nWave is moving into the 3-D biz with its next animated film, FLY ME TO THE MOON, VARIETY reports. The makers of HAUNTED CASTLE has set aside a budget of $21 million for the CG film, which follows three tween houseflies that stow away on the Apollo 11 moon mission. nWave hopes to have the film ready for summer 2007.

"We've been pulling this project together for three years," nWave president Charlotte Huggins said. "I've been sitting on my surfboard waiting for the wave, and animation projected in 3-D is generating lots of interest right now."

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Nicollette Sheridan will voice Nadia, the Russian love interest. Tim Curry (LEGEND) is Yegor, a conniving Russian operative. Ed Begley Jr. (BEST IN SHOW) is Poopchev, the neurotic head of the Russian Space Program. Adrienne Barbeau (ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) is the protagonist Scooter's nervous but proud mom. Philip Daniel Bolden (JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION) is I.Q., the preteen brains behind the young flies' journey. Trevor Gagnon (BIG FISH) is Nat, the young fly who dreams of going to the moon. Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin has signed on to appear in a live-action cameo.

nWave founder Ben Stassen will direct the film from a script by Domonic Paris, who will co-exec produce with Stassen through his company Illuminata Pictures. Illuminata partners Mimi Maynard and Gina Gallo Paris will produce. nWave will finance the film with equity investors. The Brussels-based production studio has 40 animators working in Maya on SGI systems. nWave is still looking for a distributor.